Perry Byrne

Congratulations to the CPF Teacher Graduate of the Year 2012-2013

On April 26, The Honourable Frank Fagan, Lieutenant Governor, presented Perry Byrne, a graduate of the Faculty of Education, Memorial University, with the Canadian Parents for French Teacher Graduate of the Year Award for the academic year 2012-2013. Since Perry is currently teaching in Malaysia, his award was accepted by his mother, Stephanie Byrne.

This award recognizes Education graduates who, during their academic and internship sessions, developed innovative strategies that illustrate their motivation to teach and demonstrate their passion for language development. Perry received a one-week professional development session in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon for summer 2013 and a plaque for his efforts.

To be eligible for the award the teacher graduate must have completed a Bachelor of Education Program with a French focus or a French teachable area. The student must have applied for or received a Newfoundland and Labrador teaching certificate.

Perry graduated from Ascension Collegiate in Bay Roberts with an honours French Immersion diploma. While attending high school, he participated in a student work program in Trois-Rivières, Québec for six weeks. At the post-secondary level, he studied French at Memorial University in St. John's, he completed the 3-month Frecker program in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and also the Lycée program in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon which gave him nine additional months to perfect his French skills.

Perry completed his Bachelor of Arts with a French major, making French his first teachable area Perry was accepted into the Bachelor of Education Intermediate/Secondary program in the academic year 2011-12. He completed his internship at Leary's Brook Junior High School in St. John's in the winter of 2012. During this time he taught Junior High French Immersion and Core French. He graduated in October, 2012 and was hired for a one-term replacement at Crescent Collegiate, in Blaketown.

Perry is described by his mentors as an exceptional role model for young students learning a second language and a wonderful asset to any school. Kim Siegfriedt, French Department Head at Crescent Collegiate had this to say about Perry: "His love for the French language and culture were evident in everything he did both in and out of the classroom. He strives to bring the curriculum to life. His brief time at Crescent Collegiate left his students and co-workers feeling that little bit better just for having the pleasure to have known him."